Story Of The Day

2008-09-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Nelson family is taking the drought in California very seriously. In order for Parker to be able to splash gallons of water a day out of the hot tub the rest of the family has to bathe in the wheelbarrow. Stay tuned to see future postings of Troy and Heather......Just Joking

BBQ Sauce

2008-09-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hunter had lunch today at school with his brother Camden and his friend Tommy. They had chicken nuggets with BBQ sauce. After we finished lunch we got everything cleaned up and put in the garbage. I was talking to a teacher when the boys came over to show me that BBQ sauce had spilled all over Tommy. Hmmmm BBQ sauce that was all over his shirt all over the ground and most importantly running out his nose. Not BBQ sauce but a bloody nose! Nice

All made of Hudges......

2008-09-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

On the way home from Church Hunter informed us that we all should have "Hudges". "Hudges?" I asked. "That is what the song says" replied Hunter. "Hudges"? What else did the song say I further investigated. "We are all made of Hudges" sang Hunter. Oh.....We are all made of hinges. You would have to know the song to get the humor of that one!

Testimony

2008-09-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

Keeping with the spirit of Fasting we also thought we might mention the option of bearing your testimony in church. Camden quickly replied "I don't think I have much of one." I encouraged him to listen to the testimonies given during the Sacrament meeting and write down three things that people bear testimony about. The very first testimony began with a person telling a story about people wearing purple clothing during the month of March to show they had made a sacrifice to a patron saint. After she sat down I noticed out of the corner of my eye Camden writing the number one and the word "clothing" after it. Troy and I both started laughing which is not recommended when your eight year old is trying to understand gospel principles ( he was embarrassed). Something to think about next time I go up to bare my testimony. What would a child write down that I testified about?

Fast Sunday

2008-09-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

Camden turned 8 in May and like most families with their first child getting baptized you get so excited about the baptism that you forget about explaining other important parts of becoming a member of the church like FAST SUNDAY. I'll never forget the look on his face when we explained to him what fasting required. This last Fast Sunday at about 11am I told Camden that I would make him something special for lunch because he was doing such a good job fasting. I asked him what he wanted me to make him. He answered quickly "Just Water!" Not a reflection of my cooking ability.....

Hecka Crazy!

2008-09-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

Camden decided to take all the slides from the hill along with the little tikes roller coaster and get creative. This is what happens when you let your kids look at funny home vidoes on youtube!

Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better.......

2008-09-27T21:27:00.001-07:00

We are thinking this video will either win us $10,000 on Americas Funniest Home Videos or get us a visit from Social Services.

Birthday Phase I

2008-09-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

Hunter started his birthday celebration a day early at Pre-school. He kept his birthday crown on all day and continues to torment his older brother by saying "It's my birthday and I get to do whatever I want!"

Part of the Pack

2008-09-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

Camden attended his first cub scout pack meeting and received his Bobcat along with several belt loops. He is lucky to be a part of a large den made up of boys from both school and church. His mom is even luckier because she is the Den mother and gets to participate in the fun. When I asked Camden what he liked best about Pack meeting it was the awards.

Quotes of the Day

2008-09-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

"Mom when I tell you I want something then you have to get it for me!"
Hunter Nelson

Hunter had a friend over for a play date. He had ants crawling up his leg and I told him to shake them off before they crawled up his pants and made him do the boogie dance. He asked "whats a boogie dance?" Hunter replied "I've had ants crawl up my pants but I've never had a boogie dance." His friend asked again "whats a boogie dance?" "It's a dance that ants do" said Hunter.

"We wanted to get you Rock Band for your birthday but dad said it was too expensive."
Camden Nelson

"I looked in my changing room. I looked in my sleeping room. I looked in my play room and I can't find my glasses!"
Hunter Nelson
Hunter Nelson

Walnut Festival

2008-09-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

Parker took our whole family to Special Needs Day at the Walnut Festival. The Festival reserves an evening for families to come free of charge and enjoy the rides. I like to joke around and say it is an opportunity for them to make sure that all the rides are set up safely. When you are walking across a wood swinging bridge and a child with Autism is jumping up and down it makes a person wonder.

Our family had a blast and Parker was the hero in his brothers eyes. No lines, unlimited rides, free prizes and early entrance is a gift only Parker can give. It was fun to have a night were you look around and feel like your WHOLE family belongs. Parker loves the rides and Hunter is ready to live on a diet of broccoli so that he will be big enough for the bumper cars next year.

Quote of the night:
"Mom, I want to ride on the coffee cups"
Hunter Nelson

These are a few of my favorite things

2008-07-04T21:42:00.000-07:00

Family Reunion

2008-07-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

Parker is 10 years old and each day gets harder. He has Autism. As I type the word it brings so much confusion and frustration. It frustrates me that this label I must use for my child is so common and confuses me that his personal experience of the disability seems so rare. I have to admit at times I tell people he suffered brain damage to avoid hearing "I know someone or I read". He is my personal cross that has brought me to my knees wondering if I could go on. He is my light that has brought me closer to my savior and kept me from straying to far. Everyday I strive to find the middle of both extremes so that I may have the strength to endure to the end.

I think it is part of human nature to want to belong or be a part of something. Parker can't talk so I have no way of knowing if this is true for him. Life is a guessing game when it comes to helping Parker belong. Last weekend was the Beckstead Family Reunion and I guessed wrong. How can you guess wrong on a family reunion at a lake with jet skis, a boat, pool, and lots of fast food? Forget all the fancy stuff. How can you guess wrong on a FAMILY reunion period. I have come to terms with it being too difficult for Parker to attend church, his brothers sporting games, outings with family friends. I have obviously not come to terms with it being too difficult for me. The mess, the looks, the fear of him kicking, pushing or breaking something. Worst of all is thinking that everyone is looking at your child feeling glad that he is not theirs. Watching children move away because they are nervous of his sudden movements and abnormal behaviors. With my personal cross too heavy to bear Parker and I returned home not making it to the second Family reunion. Leaving my husband and two boys behind I was faced with another event that would have to be done without Parker.

We have been home a day and all ready I can feel myself in search of the light or strength that only comes from my Heavenly Father. No one reminds me of that better than Parker. I like to think I can handle my cross on my own. No time for prayer when I'm busy figuring out what Parker wants and I want. I want my child to be happy. I want others to love my child like I love my child. I want my child to be able to tell me he loves me. I see the world shrinking as Parker continues to get bigger but cognitively remains the same. I wonder if he cares. I wonder what he needs. Now that my temper tantrum is over I'm trying to understand what my Heavenly Father wants not just for me but for Parker. I'm learning to turn my cross over to the savior and have faith that he will cover the areas I fall short. I spent the evening reading the ensign. I went to the temple. I prayed. Parker still spilled milk, used my stairs for the potty, and dropped food all over the house. Why make the effort if his disability remains the same. I make the effort because I believe in eternal life and I know that this is one family reunion Parker will never have to miss.